Tate’s red revolution

A CONGESTION- busting proposal to allow motorists to turn left at red lights could be coming back to the Gold Coast.

The city became the first in Queensland to trial the practice in early 2013, but drivers were forced to stop again when the experiment ended six months later.

Now, a new trial could soon begin as the Gold Coast City Council prepares to ask the State Government for another try following the success of a similar program in Brisbane.

A submission is now being prepared for George St, with council engineers already out assessing possible intersections that could be used.

Mayor Tom Tate said the need for a new trial was shown by the success of the Gold Coast’s previous attempt, as well as Brisbane’s, which was recently extended.

“It has been great to see Brisbane follow our lead and our trial demonstrated it could be done safely and this is something we want to address,” he said. “Council officers are now assessing which intersections could be part of this trial and, later, permanently.

“Turn left is a sensible measure we can take to get traffic moving and stop people waiting unnecessarily.”

The 2013 trial, using three intersections at Southport, Benowa and Robina, cost ratepayers more than $200,000.

Signs installed then at the three intersections are expected to be used again if the Palaszczuk Government approves the new trial.

The technology’s introduction would bring the Gold Coast into line with NSW, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT.

Cr Tate said the proposal, if adopted permanently, would help relieve pressure on the city’s roads ahead of, and during, the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“The key to our transport strategy is making the most of our existing road network.”